| Learning Objective #1: Describe a reliable and valid outcome assessment process that includes longitudinal components and multisource (i.e., graduate and supervisor) components. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Compare ratings of graduates and their supervisors on critical thinking, occupational competencies and job-specific communication, three years after program completion. |
Objective: To examine the relationship between ADN graduates self-perceptions and ratings of work-related competencies and supervisors ratings of these competencies three years after graduation.
Design: A longitudinal model measuring critical thinking, occupational competency and job-specific communication skills by graduates and their supervisors.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years: Data were collected from 713 nursing graduates three years after program completion (between 2001 and 2003). Respondents were asked to provide mailing information for their immediate work supervisors. Of the 240 supervisor surveys sent out, 96 were returned and the analyses for the relationships between supervisor’s evaluation and graduate’s rating were based on this sample.
Concepts Studied: Critical thinking, occupational competencies and job-specific communication.
Methods: A survey was sent out three years after graduation and contained questions about personal and career changes experienced after graduation and the impact of the college education. It also contained a 12 item critical thinking measure, 21 competencies specific to nursing and 13 items linked to specific behaviors related to communication. The name and mailing address of their immediate supervisor were also requested and a survey measuring the same concepts was mailed to those supervisors. Demographic information and academic records were extracted from the College’s student database and matched with survey responses.
Findings: Preliminary survey results for both graduates and supervisors are positive with sound psychometric properties but more data is needed for comparisons and correlations.
Conclusions: Supervisors are very positive toward these graduates as employees and graduates rated themselves highly in all areas.
Implications: The results indicate that comprehensive research efforts using multiple sources are needed and integrating the graduate and supervisor ratings may contribute to incremental validity of assessment efforts.
Back to Outcome Measurement
Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004